The next day I had just finished breakfast when Marnie showed up at my door.
"Bill Hay wants to see us," she said as I waved her in.
"What does he want?" I asked rolling my eyes/
"Oh, I don't know—maybe he thinks he can expect an update on the assignment he gave us—after all, we are employed there."
Her sarcasm wasn't lost on me.
"I guess I should have touched base with you too," I said guiltily.
"That would be a good idea because all I got from my three interviews was a trip down memory lane. I don't know why Bill Hay thought there was much of a story there."
"Because there is, much as I hate to admit it."
Her eyes were wide with surprise. "So, this Lise Phillips, the librarian is the real deal? Did she enter some kind of time portal at the old Palace Pier site?"
"Something like that—it’s complicated."
"Well, don't you think it's time you let me in on what's happening? I mean, we're supposedly a team, unless you found someone else who suits you better."
I handed her a mug of coffee and sat down opposite her.
"We're still a team, Marn, I guess I've been so caught up in things I forgot to keep you in the loop. I'm really sorry."
She arched an eyebrow. "You did it, didn't you? You're in a relationship with Ember. That's why I'm cut out."
I shook my head. "You don't understand—I’ve always been in a relationship with Ember. We've shared countless past lives.”
I thought she was going to choke on her coffee.
"What the hell, Blake? You've been a bloody skeptic as long as I've known you. What did this chick do—dose your coffee with Rohypnol so she could seduce you? Yeah, that must be it—only she used too much and you've forgotten who you are."
"I don't blame you for being shocked—that’s why I was struggling with how to tell you. Fact is, I've had dreams of this girl and our past life for as long as I can remember."
She glared at me cynically. "So, you mean to tell me you've been living in denial all this time?"
I shrugged," I guess that about sums it up," I muttered.
"Tell me this much, are you working with Ember now on the Lise Phillips story?"
"I'm not exactly working with her—it’s more like she's helping me navigate through the paranormal elements, but I also have help from members of the Mandela Society."
"So you did find another team that suits you better," she growled, heading for the door. "Thanks for letting me know."
"Marn, wait—it’s not like that..."
But she was out the door and my words echoed in the empty kitchen.
She was right though—it really was like that, and I could spin it however I pleased but the facts were that I did cut her out.
I was without excuse and I suppose when Bill Hay finds out, I'll probably be without a job too. If so, it serves me right. I’m such a fool.
Maybe I haven't really changed—seems I'm always disappointing some woman. I was so preoccupied with Ember, I forgot all about Marnie. And we were working together on this assignment…
And at that instant, I saw my insensitivity and loathed myself.
